A Phenomenological Study of the Art of Nursing: Experiencing the Turn

Abstract

This study contributes to an understanding of the art of nursing by defining and focusing on the nurse's experience in achieving the object of nursing art. Nursing art is conceptualized as a transition that the nurse helps facilitate with a patient who has become "stuck" in some way. The request posed to participants was: "Tell me of your experience in helping a patient turn a corner in his or her illness and come to see his or her situation in a new way." This research resulted in three sets of findings; only those relevant to transitions are presented here.